Genée International Ballet Competition
Encyclopedia
The Genée International Ballet Competition is one of the world's most prestigious classical ballet
competitions. Organised and promoted by the Royal Academy of Dance
, the competition is held annually, and is named in memorial to Dame Adeline Genée, one of the founders of the Academy.
, England
in 1931 and which has since been held in major cities around the word. The competition is promoted by the Royal Academy of Dance
and is named in memorial to Dame Adeline Genee, one of the founders of the Academy. The competition is open to candidates who have studied the Academy's syllabus, having completed the Advanced 2 examination with Distinction, or having been awarded the Solo Seal. Professional dancers are prohibited from entering. The competition consists of a semi-final and a final, with Gold, Silver and Bronze medals presented for both male and female sections. The Gold medal is awarded to a candidate only if they demonstrate exceptional technical skills, an innate response to music, outstanding performance qualities and charisma. Other awards are introduced periodically, including the Audience Choice Award and the Award for Theatricality.
, England
, with the semi-finals taking place at the Bonnie Bird Theatre, located within the Laban Dance Centre
. The final was staged at Sadler's Wells Theatre
. It was the first time the competition has been held in England since 2005.
Male Section
, which forms part of the National University of Singapore
. It was the country's first time hosting the competition. The judging panel included Dame Antoinette Sibley, President of the Royal Academy of Dance
; Wayne Eagling
, Artistic Director of English National Ballet
; Gary Harris, Artistic Director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet
and Goh Soo Khim, Co-Founder of Singapore Dance Theatre. This year, the event was organised in coordination with the National Arts Council of Singapore.
Male section
, Canada
. Sixteen finalists were selected from a total of 53 candidates, representing eleven countries. The judging panel included Dame Antoinette Sibley, Chairman of the Royal Academy of Dance
; Karen Kain, Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Canada
; Ashley Wheater, Artistic Director of the Joffrey Ballet
, and Rex Harrington of the National Ballet of Canada
.
Male section
, England
, but it was abandoned due to difficulties in obtaining sponsorship.
in Hong Kong
, China
. Twelve finalists were selected. The judging panel included Dame Antoinette Sibley, Chairman of the Royal Academy of Dance
; Zhao Ruheng, Executive Director of the National Ballet of China
, and John Meehan
, Artistic Director of the Hong Kong Ballet
.
Male section
Classical ballet
Classical Ballet is the most formal of the ballet styles, it adheres to traditional ballet technique. There are variations relating to area of origin, such as Russian ballet, French ballet, British ballet and Italian ballet...
competitions. Organised and promoted by the Royal Academy of Dance
Royal Academy of Dance
The Royal Academy of Dance is an international dance education and training organization, and examination board that specialises in the teaching and technique of Ballet. The RAD was established in London, England in 1920 as the Association of Operatic Dancing of Great Britain, and received its...
, the competition is held annually, and is named in memorial to Dame Adeline Genée, one of the founders of the Academy.
Overview
The Genee International Ballet Competition is a prestigious classical ballet competition that was first held in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1931 and which has since been held in major cities around the word. The competition is promoted by the Royal Academy of Dance
Royal Academy of Dance
The Royal Academy of Dance is an international dance education and training organization, and examination board that specialises in the teaching and technique of Ballet. The RAD was established in London, England in 1920 as the Association of Operatic Dancing of Great Britain, and received its...
and is named in memorial to Dame Adeline Genee, one of the founders of the Academy. The competition is open to candidates who have studied the Academy's syllabus, having completed the Advanced 2 examination with Distinction, or having been awarded the Solo Seal. Professional dancers are prohibited from entering. The competition consists of a semi-final and a final, with Gold, Silver and Bronze medals presented for both male and female sections. The Gold medal is awarded to a candidate only if they demonstrate exceptional technical skills, an innate response to music, outstanding performance qualities and charisma. Other awards are introduced periodically, including the Audience Choice Award and the Award for Theatricality.
2010
The 2010 competition was held LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, with the semi-finals taking place at the Bonnie Bird Theatre, located within the Laban Dance Centre
Laban Dance Centre
Laban in Deptford, south-east London, is a conservatoire and centre for contemporary dance, and includes 13 dance studios, a 300-seat theatre, dance health suite, Pilates studio, library and café...
. The final was staged at Sadler's Wells Theatre
Sadler's Wells Theatre
Sadler's Wells Theatre is a performing arts venue located in Rosebery Avenue, Clerkenwell in the London Borough of Islington. The present day theatre is the sixth on the site since 1683. It consists of two performance spaces: a 1,500 seat main auditorium and the Lilian Baylis Studio, with extensive...
. It was the first time the competition has been held in England since 2005.
Finalists
Female Section- Evangeline Ball, United Kingdom
- Laura Day, United Kingdom
- Karla Doorbar, United Kingdom
- Francesca Hayward, United Kingdom
- Tierney Heap, United Kingdom
- Courtney Macmillan, Australia
- Anna Rose O'Sullivan, United Kingdom
Male Section
- Sean Bates, United Kingdom
- Orazio Di Bella, Italy
- Lachlan Monaghan, Australia
- Donald Thom, Canada
- Dominic Whitbrook, United Kingdom
2009
The 2009 competition was held at the University Cultural Centre, SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, which forms part of the National University of Singapore
National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore is Singapore's oldest university. It is the largest university in the country in terms of student enrollment and curriculum offered....
. It was the country's first time hosting the competition. The judging panel included Dame Antoinette Sibley, President of the Royal Academy of Dance
Royal Academy of Dance
The Royal Academy of Dance is an international dance education and training organization, and examination board that specialises in the teaching and technique of Ballet. The RAD was established in London, England in 1920 as the Association of Operatic Dancing of Great Britain, and received its...
; Wayne Eagling
Wayne Eagling
Wayne Eagling is a former Principal dancer of the Royal Ballet in London and is a leading international choreographer and director....
, Artistic Director of English National Ballet
English National Ballet
English National Ballet is a classical ballet company founded by Dame Alicia Markova and Sir Anton Dolin and based at Markova House in South Kensington, London, England. Along with the Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Scottish Ballet, it is one of the four major ballet companies in Great...
; Gary Harris, Artistic Director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet
Royal New Zealand Ballet
The Royal New Zealand Ballet is based in Wellington, New Zealand.The Royal New Zealand Ballet is a company of 32 dynamic dancers, performing an eclectic repertoire of outstanding dance, for national and international audiences, whilst continuing to build a style that is ultimately unique to the...
and Goh Soo Khim, Co-Founder of Singapore Dance Theatre. This year, the event was organised in coordination with the National Arts Council of Singapore.
Finalists
Female section- Amelia Baxter, Australia
- Claudia Dean, Australia
- Henrietta Ellis-Flint, Australia
- Min Yi Kwok, Singapore
- Shayarne Matheson, Australia
- Danielle Muir, Australia
- Daniella Oddi, Australia
- Emily Smith, Australia
- Nicola Wills-Jones, Australia
Male section
- Takeaki Miura, Japan
- Daniel Roberge, Australia
- Paul Russell, Australia
Winners
- Gold Medal - Female - Claudia Dean, Australia
- Silver Medal - Female - Nicola Wills-Jones, Australia
- Bronze Medal - Female - Daniela Oddi, Australia
- Gold Medal - Male - Paul Russell, Australia
- Silver Medal - Male - Daniel Roberge, Australia
- Bronze Medal - Male - Takeaki Miura, Japan
- Audience Choice Award - Claudia Dean, Australia
2008
The 2008 competition was held on Saturday 23 August 2008, at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Sixteen finalists were selected from a total of 53 candidates, representing eleven countries. The judging panel included Dame Antoinette Sibley, Chairman of the Royal Academy of Dance
Royal Academy of Dance
The Royal Academy of Dance is an international dance education and training organization, and examination board that specialises in the teaching and technique of Ballet. The RAD was established in London, England in 1920 as the Association of Operatic Dancing of Great Britain, and received its...
; Karen Kain, Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Canada
National Ballet of Canada
The National Ballet of Canada is Canada's largest ballet troupe. It was founded by Celia Franca in 1951 and is based in Toronto, Ontario. Based upon the unity of Canadian trained dancers in the tradition and style of England's Royal Ballet, The National is regarded as one of the premier classical...
; Ashley Wheater, Artistic Director of the Joffrey Ballet
Joffrey Ballet
The Joffrey Ballet is a dance company in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 1956. From 1995 to 2004, the company was known as The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. The company regularly performs classical ballets including Romeo & Juliet and The Nutcracker, while balancing those classics with pioneering modern...
, and Rex Harrington of the National Ballet of Canada
National Ballet of Canada
The National Ballet of Canada is Canada's largest ballet troupe. It was founded by Celia Franca in 1951 and is based in Toronto, Ontario. Based upon the unity of Canadian trained dancers in the tradition and style of England's Royal Ballet, The National is regarded as one of the premier classical...
.
Finalists
Female section- Chelsea Andrejic, Australia
- Alexandra Bertram, Canada
- Jasmine Brown, USA
- Nicole Ciapponi, Canada
- Jade Messiah, Canada
- Yuki Hirota, Japan
- Ariele Ribeiro, Brazil
- Nana Shimada, Japan
- Liana Vasconcelos, Brazil
- Madeleine White, Australia
- Ya Xuan Xu, China
- Andrea Yorita, USA
Male section
- Jack Bertinshaw, Australia
- Jarrad Cramp, Australia
- Yuma Kozuki, Japan
- Hong Tao Lin, China
- Aaron Smyth, Australia
Winners
- Gold Medal - Female - (not awarded)
- Silver Medal - Female - Chelsea Andrejic, Australia and Nicole Ciapponi, Canada Canada
- Bronze Medal - Female - Ya Xuan Xu, China and Alexandra Bertram, Canada Canada
- Gold Medal - Male - Aaron Smyth, Australia
- Silver Medal - Male - Yuma Kozuki, Japan and Hong Tao, China
- Bronze Medal - Male - (not awarded)
- Audience Choice Award - Aaron Smyth, Australia
- Award for Theatricality - Nicole Ciapponi, Canada
2007
The 2007 competition was scheduled to be held in LeedsLeeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, but it was abandoned due to difficulties in obtaining sponsorship.
2006
The 2006 competition was held on Sunday 3 September 2006, at the Lyric Theatre, which forms part of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing ArtsHong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts , located near the north coast of Wan Chai on the Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong, is both an academic institution and a venue for performances....
in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. Twelve finalists were selected. The judging panel included Dame Antoinette Sibley, Chairman of the Royal Academy of Dance
Royal Academy of Dance
The Royal Academy of Dance is an international dance education and training organization, and examination board that specialises in the teaching and technique of Ballet. The RAD was established in London, England in 1920 as the Association of Operatic Dancing of Great Britain, and received its...
; Zhao Ruheng, Executive Director of the National Ballet of China
National Ballet of China
The National Ballet of China , known in China as the Central Ballet Troupe was founded on 31 December 1959. It is the mainland Chinese national ballet troupe...
, and John Meehan
John Meehan (dancer)
John Meehan is an Australian dancer and ballet director, born 1950. He was dancer & ballet director. He studied at the Australian Ballet School, joined the Australian Ballet in 1970 and was promoted to principal dancer in 1974, creating roles in several works, including Ronald Hynd's The Merry Widow...
, Artistic Director of the Hong Kong Ballet
Hong Kong Ballet
The Hong Kong Ballet is Hong Kong's leading professional ballet company, and also the famous group for Classical Ballet, since it founded in 1979....
.
Finalists
Female section- Ye Fei Fei, China
- Gemma Graves, Australia
- Alexandra MacDonald, Canada
- Eliza Mulholland, Australia
- Jessica Morgan, Australia
Male section
- Edgar Lai Kiu Chan, Hong Kong
- David Moore, United Kingdom
- Kostyantyn Keshyshev, Ukraine
- James Stout, Canada
- Daniel Mulligan, United Kingdom
- Jia Yong Sun, China
- Valentino Zucchetti, Italy
Winners
- Gold Medal - Female - (not awarded)
- Silver Medal - Female - Ye Fei Fei, China and Gemma Graves, Australia
- Bronze Medal - Female - Jessica Morgan, Australia
- Gold Medal - Valentino Zucchetti, Italy
- Silver Medal - Male - Kostyantyn Keshyshev, Ukraine
- Bronze Medal - Male - David Moore, United Kingdom and Jia Yong Sun, China
- Audience Choice Award - Ye Fei Fei, China